Re: Aimpoint PRO
From an LE and agency armorer POV:
My agency was able to free up several thousand dollars in the firearms training and ammo budget, and the head of the Firearms division asked me what I thought we should do with it. We were issued Colt M4LE (LE6921) rifles with a forearm light and iron sights for our squad cars. I immediately said "Aimpoint PRO".
I have been a long time Aimpoint user, and I know their optics are simple, have incredibly long battery life, and are knock-down-drag-out reliable. With the money we had available, we were able to pick up optics for every rifle. Initially there was skepticism from the Admin about whether we needed them, and officers were concerned that it would be too complicated to use. All that changed after our first range qual with them. Admin and patrol officers alike were astounded and pleased with how simple the optics were to operate and shoot with. Qualification scores skyrocketed at 50yds and 100yds, and the close-range (25yds and in) shots were coming out much faster. We have both Colts and Wilson Combat 870 12ga shotguns in every car, and many people preferred the shotgun. Now most officers are grabbing rifles, which to me is the superior weapon platform.
What's also nice is that our SOP is the same as what is recommended by Aimpoint, which is to just leave the optic on 24/7. The battery life (30,000hrs/3yrs) was a huge selling point of the optic to the Admin staff.
One of our neighbor agencies has EOTechs, and they have to replace their batteries monthly as a part of normal maintenance because they don't want to take a chance at their optics going down from a dead battery. Additionally, all officers have to carry spare batteries in their car for their optics. They are jealous of us.
A major selling point to the PRO is its simplicity. The mount is simple. You put it on, screw it in until it clicks a couple times, and you're set. The rheostat is a simple dial with heavy clicks. The reticle is a simple dot- nothing to think about.
The only beef I have is that the QRP2 mount that it comes with will loosen if the rifle is subjected to vibration. In our case, the cars driving while the rifles are in the rifle racks between the front seats. As a matter of SOP, at the beginning of the week when we start our first day back on shift (we work in teams), part of your squad checks is to check the rifle for ammunition, function, damage, etc. Now it involves turning the knob on the mount to make sure it's tight. The built-in torque break makes it fool-proof.
The up-side is that when we take the optics off for cleaning the rifles (we use an ultrasonic cleaner), we have noticed no discernible zero shift after remounting.
All of this in an optic that costs $400-$440, and you have a great deal. I personally own a T1 and M4S, and the T1 is by far my favorite due to the small size and light weight. However, the PRO is by far the best bargain and where you will get the most for your money. It is no lesser of an optic than the other models when it comes to quality and capability.